Analysts Doubt ATandT Banned Google Voice

The most popular device that AT&T is using to connect its wireless data
pipe to its customers is the iPhone. Google Voice, with free SMS and free U.S.
calls, threatens to eat into this wireless data pipe, which is why Kessler
believes AT&T killed Google Voice on the iPhone. "It's inexcusable
that new, feature-rich and productive applications like Google Voice are being
held back, just to prop up AT&T while we wait for it to transition away
from its legacy of voice communications," Kessler said.
Enderle Group analyst Rob Enderle disagreed that AT&T was behind the
Google Voice ban.

"I still don't think AT&T pulled the plug because in other
countries Apple has not pulled VOIP applications and no one, including
AT&T, seems to have much say with regard to Apple's App Store,"
Enderle told eWEEK. "We also know that Apple regularly cripples or blocks
things they think are competitive, and Google seems to have the platform that
is currently the most likely to hurt the iPhone."

However, Enderle did agree that AT&T and other carriers are counter-consumer
and said he was happy the government is looking into this. "The citizen is
overmatched at the moment, and the role of government is to ensure that this
doesn't happen," he said.
ISuppli analyst Jagdish Rebello said the Google Voice ban represents an
early dust-up in the escalating battle among wireless operators, cell phone
makers and content providers over who will control revenue generated by
applications and data services. Apple, Google and players such as Nokia, RIM
and Microsoft are trying to muscle in on the wireless carriers for a share of
the lucrative markets for mobile premium content, service and application.
"Clearly, mobile data revenue is key to the continued health of
wireless carriers and the cell phone value chain in the future," Rebello said.
"In this battle, ownership of customers and who can monetize data services and
applications are up for grabs."
Kessler didn't simply intend to start a war of words with his piece in the
Journal. He proposed solutions, including end phone exclusivity; share
airwaves; end municipal exclusivity deals for cable companies; and encourage
faster and faster data connections to our homes and phones.
No problem, right?
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